1991 Hyundai Excel

● Typical for this model

1991 Hyundai Excel
RENDERED 2026-09-16T12:17:11.728Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1991: 38 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1986	13
1987	13
1988	50
1989	88
1990	39
1991	38
1992	34
1993	20
1994	36
1995	5
1996	3
1997	2
1998	2
2001	7

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 26%

26% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

CAR BEGAN TO ONLY DO 20 MILES PER HOUR AFTER STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. DROVE FIN ON ROAD. THAN BEGAN TO DRIVE SLOWLY AFTER TWO WEEKS. HAD TRANSMISSION FLIUD CHANGE AND DROVE GREAT FOR A WEEK THEN FAILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050330

TRANSFER SHAFT BEARING BROKE, KNOCKING A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE, CAUSING FLUIDS TO LEAK FROM TRANSMISSION, CAUSING COMPLETE LOCK UP AND DESTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION AND CASE. MY CAR WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040416

CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION CASE CRACKED, DUE TO DRIVING OVER A DIP IN THE DRIVEWAY, (CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE)*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20021204

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, BRAIN CELL MELTED DOWN, FUSES BLOWN. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950308

ENGINE ELECTRICAL FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT; WHILE DRIVING, STALLED, BURST INTO FLAMES; VEHICLE TOTALLED. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950301

VISIBILITY 13%

13% of complaints: visibility — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing windshield and glass, side/rear.

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and support device/strut.

INJURY

SERVICE BRAKES 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19910226 — PE (closed 19910605)

PASSENGER BRAKE

I 19910924 — EA (closed 19921013)

TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP

I 19921013 — EA (closed 19931029)

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

R 19940511 — fuel system, gasoline

THE VEHICLES FAILED THE LATERAL MOVING BARRIER IMPACT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE GAS TANK EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AMOUNT OF SPILLAGE.

Remedy: HYUNDAI HAS DEVELOPED AN APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURE THAT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301.

Campaign 93V192000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940527 — PE (closed 19941031)

CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES

I 19951209 — PE (closed 19960321)

SCISSOR JACK FAILURE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1991 Hyundai Excel — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for visibility issues (5 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 93V192000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

● 1992 ● 1994 ● 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 1989 ◆ 1988 ● 1990

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1991 Hyundai Excel reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Hyundai Excel is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Hyundai Excel?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1991 Hyundai Excel have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.